2021 Lexus ES vs 2022 Dodge Charger

The 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup with the introduction of the ES 250, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive, priced similarly to the ES 350 with a 3.5-litre V6 and front-wheel drive. The ES 300h hybrid variant offered improved fuel efficiency at a premium. The ES lineup included various packages, such as Standard, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury, with the F Sport and Black Line Edition adding unique styling elements. The ES's design was characterized by its dramatic grille and sleek, artful details, with the F Sport trim enhancing its appeal with larger wheels and sporty accents. The interior of the ES, particularly in the Black Line Edition, featured a striking black and white contrast, maintaining Lexus's reputation for quality materials and high design.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, built on a platform dating back to 2005, showcased a modern and menacing design, with significant updates in 2011 and 2015. While the exterior was refreshed, the interior retained a dated look with thick bezels and chunky controls, contrasting with the minimalist trend in modern automotive design. The Charger offered a range of trims, from the base SXT with a V6 engine to the high-performance Hellcat and Jailbreak variants with supercharged V8 engines. The Hellcat Widebody, introduced in 2020, enhanced the Charger's performance capabilities, making it a well-rounded performance machine. Despite its aging platform, the Charger remained a formidable presence on the road, blending muscle-car heritage with modern performance.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. It offered Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes, with Sport+ and Custom modes available with the adaptive damping suspension. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds, with a fuel efficiency rating of 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The ES 350 Black Line Edition provided a dynamic driving experience, with firm ride quality and flat cornering stance, though it was not an outright sports sedan.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 engine in the SXT and GT models, producing up to 300 horsepower. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower, while the Scat Pack 392 boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower. The Charger SRT Hellcat, with its supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8, delivered 717 horsepower, with the Redeye and Jailbreak variants pushing output to 797 and 807 horsepower, respectively. All engines were paired with a Torqueflite eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available on V6 models. The Hellcat's Widebody setup improved handling and traction, making it a thrilling performance machine.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a daring interior layout, with sport-bolstered front seats offering 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seats provided ample legroom and comfort, with rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade. The ES offered excellent outward visibility and plentiful storage, though the trunk space was limited to 394 litres. The test car's hands-free power trunk added convenience.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, despite its large sedan size, felt intimate due to its high centre console and performance bucket seats. Both rows offered plenty of legroom, though headroom was limited. The Charger provided 467 litres of trunk space, though the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading challenging. The Charger combined sports-car performance with four-door practicality, offering versatility for performance enthusiasts.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a touchpad interface that required attention to operate, though dynamic voice command technology offered an alternative. The optional 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment display was visually appealing, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio standard. The ES offered a 10-speaker premium sound system, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. An 8.4-inch version was available, offering larger icons and easier navigation. Both screens included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger's technology blended well with conventional controls, providing a straightforward user experience.

The 2021 Lexus ES came equipped with Lexus Safety System 2.0, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all but the base trim. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered limited standard safety features, with only a backup camera and rear parking sensors included. Optional safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Charger received a Marginal rating in the IIHS driver’s side overlap test and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.